Design Inspiration - Sugar Paper, Los Angeles

I'm a big fan of Sugar Paper's letter-press stationary.  I must visit their store whenever I'm in Los Angeles.Before I said "arrivederci" to my Hollywood screenwriting career, my Los Angeles trips were a blur of pitches, general meetings, and being stuck in horrendous traffic.During my last trip, I was able to slow down a bit and really see Los Angeles. My feelings about Los Angeles have completely changed.  I lived there for ten years and was so happy to get out.  Now?  I'm excited to spend time there.  Not that excited about the thirteen-hour direct flight though.Sugar Paper is located in the Brentwood Country Mart.  The market is worth checking out as well.  In the past I've bought my stationary and rushed out the door to my next meeting.This time I had a lunch meeting at Farmshop in the Mart and the traffic gods had smiled upon me.  I was very early.  To be honest, my wallet was displeased with the turn of events.How lovely is this space?Renovated last year by the firm Life.Style., this update of the ten-year old shop is perfection.  The stationary is the star of the show.  The brass light fixtures are Thomas O'Brien and the fabric is from Peter Dunham. For more (and professional!) pictures of the project, the Life.Style. portfolio is here.Photos: Me and my iPhone   

I Went Back to Cali - La Cienega Design Quarter - Legends 2015

Finally, my jet lag is over.  It was much worse in Los Angeles and ended shortly before my return flight to Rome.  How wonderful!The LCDQ Legends interior designer conference is one of the most popular events in the industry. I've heard designers call it the Coachaella or the Oscars of interior design.  There were more than ten thousand RSVPs for the three-day event, with designers from over twenty-four states, and one hundred and fifty designers traveling to Los Angeles from overseas.This was my first year attending. It was fantastic. There were Interesting and informative panel discussions, fun parties, and over sixty-seven inspiring window displays.Not only did I enjoy visiting some of my favorite (and new) showrooms, I appreciated the style of my fellow decorators. Folks were not playing. It does make sense that many interior designers/decorators have a great sense of style.  I forgot how super casual Los Angeles is until I saw someone walk into Urth Cafe in Beverly Hills wearing pajamas bottoms.  I'm talking about the sloppy, comfortable ones you sleep in, not the dressy ones you would wear to a party.I also had Hollywood film/TV meetings but since this is not a screenwriting blog, all I will say is that everyone is talking about EMPIRE.  We'll see how this hit show changes the landscape.There were many highlights and I left feeling very energized (and determined to move to a new neighborhood).Opening night gala.  My friend Corrina (an interior design junkie) came with me.  It was packed.  The food was delicious.  I felt drunk despite not drinking at all.  The jet lag struggle was real that night. The official kick off.  The Bloggers Breakfast.  I met Erinn Valencich from American Dream Builders. So nice. Perhaps my experience is not the norm, but I'm constantly surprised by how friendly and helpful people are in this industry.  At the conference I met some serious A-listers and they couldn't be more down to earth. It's shocking!There were many famous design bloggers attending the breakfast but the room was so crowed it was impossible to move around. I found out who was at the event after seeing their Instagram feeds.Yes, I took a photo of this Italian shower head. I love that other people were also taking photos of faucets and shower heads. I could spend hours discussing such things. I've written about Peter Dunham before. His showroom, Hollywood at Home, has moved to a new location. Beautiful. I ordered some fabric samples for my Anguilla beach house project. You know how I feel about Peonies. Peter's famous Fig Leaf print. How gorgeous is this dark blue club chair at Mecox? This table? Perfect for a bedroom, entryway, or a small office. Everyone was so cheerful.  It really unnerved me. Ha!This photo was taken at the ELLE DECOR Power Luncheon.  Very pretty and again, great food. Lulu Powers making Aperol Spritz before the "Entertaining - The Home As A Social Stage" panel, with Susan McFadden, Kathryn M. Ireland, Russ Diamond, and Lulu.The take away?  Dining rooms are not obsolete, despite what developers of McMansions say. They're being used differently, less formal.  I agree and wish I had one. I read Windsor Smith's new book once I returned to Rome.  I highly recommend adding it to your library.  It was great to meet Windsor and to spend time in the Arteriors' showroom. I love that Arteriors was serving cocktails at 2:30 p.m. on a Friday afternoon.  Unfortunately, I was driving non-stop in Los Angeles.  Still, I enjoyed the festive atmosphere. One of the most popular events is the Moore and Giles cocktail party, co-chaired by Harbinger LA and the Hearst shelter magazines (Veranda, Elle Decor, and House Beautiful) in the Harbinger backyard.More Aperol Spritz.  The Italian inspired menu was catered by Lulu Powers and was delicious. My incredible experience ended with an intimate party at Kathryn M. Ireland's beautiful home.  I forgot my phone (the HORROR!).Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita blog wrote a post about it.Ireland has moved her West Hollywood showroom next door to her textile printing shop on Washington street. Outside, it looks like any other nondescript industrial space. Inside, is a completely different story.I cannot believe it's been almost three years since I attended her Interior Design Boot Camp.  It was one of the best investments I've made in my career.  It was also a lot of fun.  Work in progress.  Hand printed textiles.Photos: My and my iPhone.

Getting Your Home Ready for Spring - My Fabric Picks for Decorative Pillows

I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend.It's still a little chilly here in Rome but I know better than to complain about it.  Our weather is almost tropical compared to some parts of the States.Growing up in NY/NJ I looked forward to saying, "peace out" to winter and getting ready for spring.  While some of my chores were not fun, I enjoyed helping my parents prep our home.Once I moved to Los Angeles I didn't have to worry about such things.  There are seasons but the changes are subtle. Nothing drastic like mountains of snow and not a single sunny day in February.One thing I appreciate about living in Rome is having "real" seasons again but without the bone chilling North East winters.I've written before about how my mom did not play when it came to keeping a clean house.  Spring cleaning was like Oscars week for her.  I get it. She grew up in the Caribbean and never got used to the weather.  After a long brutal winter, it's nice to open all the windows and let your home breathe.I don't like heights, so I would ask my dad if I could pass on cleaning the gutters. I loved working in the garden with him. What I didn't love so much... changing the draperies. They were heavy and we had a LOT of windows when we lived in New York City and when we moved out to suburban New Jersey.  I couldn't avoid ladders completely.   Once the drapes were down, they were off to the dry cleaners and my mom and I would put up pretty Spring/Summer curtains.After a thorough cleaning, it's on to the next step.Along with swapping out heavy draperies and bed lines (goodbye thick duvets!), pillows are an easy way to bring some Spring into your home.  I'd rather make custom pillows but if you don't have time to pick out fabric, stores like West Elm, Crate and Barrel, and IKEA have some fantastic and affordable choices.  Like this Ella Square from Crate and Barrel.If you go the custom route, below are my some of my favorites for Spring/Summer 2015:Dedar's Rataplan.  A very pretty and interesting take on stripes.  I'm seeing a glass (or two) of Franciacorta with this print.Peter Dunham's Peterazzi in Pale Indigo.  This silvery blue says Spring and a nice chilled white wine from Agrigento, Sicily.Kathryn M. Ireland's Brianza from her Summer in France line. This would look great against a white linen sofa and with a glass of Rosé.For a more graphic design, Kelly Wearstler's Groundworks line for Lee Jofa is gorgeous. I'm thinking a Martini for this one.Also from Lee Jofa, David Hicks' La Fiorentina Red.   A Negroni cocktail (which was invented in Florence) would be perfect.Here is everything (and I mean everything) you need to know about Spring Cleaning from the one and only Martha Stewart.  It's a good thing.   

Weekend Inspiration - Starburst Textile - Peter Dunham

Continuing with the Peter Dunham theme, this weekend's inspiration is his Starburst print.  This hand-printed fabric would be perfect in a beach house.

Photo: Peter Dunham Textiles

Speaking of beach houses, I wish I were going to one this weekend!Buon weekend a tutti.  

Bigger Is Not Always Better - Peter Dunham's West Hollywood Home

Meeting Peter Dunham was one of the highlights of Kathryn M. Ireland's Design Workshop.  I have adored his textiles and design for ages and was excited to see his showroom. He was lovely.I think it's very interesting that he downsized.  When I lived in Los Angeles, most of my peers in entertainment were all about getting to the next level.  You had to have the right address, the right car, and even if your house was perfect, the minute you could afford to (or not) you would upgrade to a bigger, better, house.In this month's issue of HOUSE BEAUTIFUL, there is a great interview (and slideshow) with Peter.  He talks about why he moved from a house that was 3,500 square-feet to an apartment that is only 550 square-feet.Living in a tiny space forces you to edit.  You cannot surround yourself with just "stuff."There is some fantastic design advice for small spaces in the article.  You can read it HERE and check out more photos of his charming home.

Weekend Inspiration - Let There Be Light - A Family Room Designed by Peter Dunham

A new Pope was elected this week.  We still don't have a Prime Minister.  It's kind of nuts but I digress.The determined sun fought its way through today's stubborn clouds and after a week of horrendous weather, we finally had a few hours of sunshine.  The angels sang.Perhaps it's a little early for Spring cleaning (the horrible weather is scheduled to return on Sunday afternoon) but I would like to get started on some projects this weekend.Thoughts of Spring brought me to the photo below.How lovely is this space designed by L.A. based, British born, Peter Dunham?

Photo: Architectural Digest

We had a chance to visit Peter's showroom during Kathryn M. Ireland's Design Bootcamp.  His showroom was filled with beautiful things and Peter was very charming.I think those chairs need to be in my home.Buon Weekend!